Tooth facing and backing therefor



Nov. 24, 1953 A. VECCHIOTTI 2,659,971

TOOTH FACING AND BACKING THEREFOR Filed Feb. 25, 1948 7 1 198 Fig.9 12 w jigfl 23 23 H24 7224 18 I? 25 H 21 24 22 i atented Nov. 24, 1953 TOOTH FACING AND BACKING THEREFOR Ado Vecchiotti, Ascoli Piceno, Italy Application February 25, 1948, Serial No. 10,768

Claims priority, application Italy February 20, 1948 1 Claim. 1

The present invention relates to improvements in the interchangeable facing for dental prothesis and in the devices for the anchorage thereof upon the backing. The interchangeable facings actually known cover only the front face of the teeth (incisive teeth, and canine teeth) leaving thus visible a metal contour on the incisive surface. As a matter of fact either the metallic incisive margin in the prothesis used to be constructed purposely longer than the facing, in order to prevent the incisive margin, of the latter, from being broken, or the incisive margin of the facing was totally protected with metal, to a great advantage of the strength but to the detriment of the aesthetics.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a facing, made either of synthetic resins or of china, wherein the metallic elements actually present, after the application of the prosthetic apparatus, are invisible, since the whole incisive surface and a portion of the rear surface (in the proximity of the incisive margin) are formed either of a synthetic resin or of porcelain, having a color similar to that of the natural teeth.

Another object of this invention is to provide a plurality of anchorages to fit the facing onto the backing, in such a way that the resulting artificial tooth is very strong and adapted to withstand the strain due to mastication.

In one practical embodiment of the present invention, the facing, besides having the usual socket serving for the anchorage of the facing onto the frontal post of the backing, is provided with a metallic reinforcing plate protecting the less resistant parts and strengthening also the white material whereof the facing is made. Upon the said plate is welded a reversely bent plate secured at one end to the incisal end of the reinforcing plate and having its free end forming a projection for entering a recess formed in the metal body, to which the backing is welded, and adjacent the said backing.

In a modified form of construction of the facing, the reinforcement of the facing is reduced to a pivot having a right angle bent portion embedded in the material of the incisal portion of the facing, which pivot is adapted to be received in the recess formed in the metallic body adjacent to the backing welded to the said body.

In a further practical embodiment, the facing is made exclusively either of china or synthetic resin and has no metallic reinforcement. The facing is provided with a socket for receiving a post on the backing and is also provided with a slot in the heel portion of the facing to receive a portion of the backing plate. In addition, a second socket is provided opening into the slot for receiving a projection carried by the backing plate.

The various forms of practical embodiment of the facing are illustrated in the annexed drawing wherein:

Figure 1 represents a vertical section both of the facing and of the backing, according to one form of practical embodiment;

Figure 2 represents a rear view of the facing showing the metal plate applied thereto;

Figure 3 represents a transverse section on the line III--III of Figure 2 of the metal plate fitted on to the facing;

Figure 4 represents a vertical section of the facing according to a second form of practical embodiment;

Figure 5 represents a view of the backing where the facing of Figure 4 is to be fitted;

Figure 6 represents a perspective view of another form of practical embodiment of the fac- Figure 7 is a vertical section on the line VIIVII of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a vertical section of the backing on which the facing of Figs. 6 and 7 is to be fitted;

Figure 9 is a front elevation of the backing of Fig. 8;

Figures 10 and 11 represent the side View of two different types of backings carrying a thin metal plate welded to its rear surface.

Referring now to Figures 1-3 of the drawin the artificial tooth is composed of a backing I, which is welded to a metallic body 2 and of an interchangeable facing 3, which may be detachably fitted on the backing. Facing 3 comprises a non-metallic element provided with a cylindrical socket 4, extending from the base towards the incisive edge over a length equal to about two thirds of the length of the facing. Such cylindrical socket opens on the rear of the facing. The socket is lined with a metal plate 5, which covers also a portion of the rear surface of the facing. Said plate is provided with two lateral bent projections 6 which penetrate in the mass of the white material constituting the facing. On the rear portion of plate 5 is welded a thin plate 8 which, in its lower portion, is spaced from the said plate 5, in such a way as to form an interstice wherein the upper portion of backing 1 may be introduced. For this purpose, adjacent to the rear of the backing a recess 9 is formed in the metallic body 2 to which the backing is welded.

The backing l is provided with a post H1 in.- 

